about the new points system,

I understand that the top in points, or anyone within 400 points of leader is eligible for the 10 race shootout, but are the other drivers still going to race? or will there only be 10 cars out there?

TIA

 

The others will still race and there will be a full field of cars it's just that the top 10 and anyone within 400 points will be eligible for the championship.

 

And of course if someone happens to 'tap' one of the contenders there will be hollerin over the deal. Even though most likely it will be just 'racing'.
In my mind the rules change came from Nextel to 'enhance' the 'show' and make sure enough viewers were on line. In my mind it is the Winston Cup and always will be.

 

That's what I was thinking, Tony Stewart or someone taking out leaders, I bet they "rethink" it all by next season.

 

My inner circle prefers to just call it Cup Racin. We all know the roots... the sponsor change will end up being a huge improvement in broadcast technology...

 

They make changes every week, it's becoming a big joke. NASCAR is going the way of all the other pro sports. It's all about the money now not about the racing. They make the cars alike, they make the tracks alike, they make the drivers drive alike heck it is now 4 to 5 hour TV AD instead of a race.

 

Vey well said. I grew up in the 70's and continue thru the 80's and early 90's watching on TV and attending the occasional race or qualifying session.

About 10 years ago, they lost me. It has all become so commercialized, it just isn't the same anymore.

I believe the new points system and this new "shootout" is just another indication of this.

But that's just my $.02.

 

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing or NASCAR.

The cars are the same by design. Technology has improved. The tracks are all becoming alike because they have found a better design. Do you really think Rockingham would be built the same way if they could start over? the drivers drive the same because of the drivability of the cars and the proven testing that increases speeds and drivability.

Its simply evolution. Everything is getting bigger, faster, better. They make four tire changes with two cans of gas and a track bar adjustment in under 14 seconds if things go perfectly. In the golden days of racing, they made 24 second stops on a perfect pit or even longer. I loved racing in the golden era, but I still love racing today. I have my lifetime reserved seats at Texas Motor Speedway. I have been to every race at the speedway since it opened in '96 ( I think lol).

The only reason for the larger number of sponsors is the new found popularity of the sport. If they could have made money from sponsors in the '70's like they do today, nothing would be different. The number of stickers and stuff that they have to show off their sponsors is a bit annoying, but it doesn't take away from the race. At least not for me.

 

The cars are not made alike by design they are made alike by NASCAR rules. You can't find one brand of car racing on the track that looks like the one in the showroom. Stock Car Racing? Where is the stock part of the car?

The tracks better design again is more for being able to get more seats around it thus more revenue. Daytona was built in 59 and has all the speed of any new track being built so where is the new and better design?

As far as the larger number of sponsors that also is not correct. There are fewer sponsors now and getting harder to find all the time. Case in point Jeff Burton (one of the best teams, best drivers and best owners but no sponsor.) How come great names like Bobby Allison and others have had to close operation? Again no sponsors. The sponsors are getting fed up with the cost of operating race teams and leaving the sport.

I too prefer the racing of old and realize that there would be changes and some were good, what I am saying is that it is going to far and will in time ruin the sport. Just take a look at others that have grown to big and to commercial like CART, they are all but gone now.

As for the drivers all driving alike that to is because NASCAR mandates their behavior and their style. Plus most will end up driving about the same when you have made the cars and the tracks to the point where a driver just holds on for 500 miles. Anyone can drive a race car but not everyone can be a race car driver.

 

It really did used to be "stock car" racing. I remmber around 1970 seeing cars that looked just like what was being driven on the street. Those days are long gone....

Better design? That's subjective. I happen to like Rockingham, Darlington, etc. The "old" tracks that are dying in favor of the miriad "cookie cutter" tri-ovals. I know, I know, they are not all exactly the same, but the end result is. The old tracks are dying (mainly, I think, because they can't get enought people in the stands and the local market is smaller compared to the new venues).

Faster?? I got to see them run 210mph laps at Talladega, back when they had to let up in the turns. That is gone for good. Unless I am mistaken, NASCAR has said there will never be another superspeedway built. Too fast and too dangerous. Restrictor plates and reduced speeds didn't help Dale Earnhardt or Davey Allsion.

Pit stop? It doesn't change the nature of competition just because pit stops are faster. Single stroke jacks - everybody has them. Years ago everybody had to pump 4 or 5 times to raise the car. Sure technology has improved, but I can't say that it has improved racing just by having faster pit stops.

The sponsorship and commercial aspect of NASCAR is, IMO, what has taken away from the sport. It has become "big business".
To be sure, the racers still love racing, and they still drive hard and want to win. The fans - even more - come to watch and are as passionate as ever.

NASCAR has indeed evolved. Some of us like the new face, some don't care (it still "racin' ") and some of us don't like the changes.

I do not expect that folks who have their money tied up in the sport should give one rip about what I think. Clearly more folks like NASCAR racing than did 20 years ago. And, in the end, that is what it is all about. Fans = money.
I don't fault anyone for realizing that and capitalizing on it.

It is clear (to me at least) that NASCAR has evolved to the point that it is a significantly different brand of racing that what I grew up enjoying. Nothing wrong with that in and of itsself. It just "is what it is".

Sidelt: please understand, this is NOT an attack on you or your opinions. Your comment: "I loved racing in the golden era, but I still love racing today." is sound and needs no defense.
Mine would be: "I loved racing in the golden era, but I don't care for it today."

Unless you are talking about motorcycle racing!

 

Well I figure if they keep trying to make things faster and more efficent wonder if one day robots will be the pit crew and drivers , would be about the same excitement j/k j/k, but I do beleive more people watch it that dont know anything about racing than used to, which leads me to beleive its a popular fad, just like certain clothes etc... which in turn means it wont matter how many rules they apply, people will still want to call their selves NASCAR fans. o well not trying to offend any 1 , just my .02

 

well, it is pretty bad when the fox announcers are ripping on the new nascar rules, like they did at the beginning of the last race. pretty accurate too. i could see the rules getting changed by later in the year yet again.

 

NASCAR is now a big joke. Nascar should just go ahead and adopt the IROC rule book, it couldn't make the racing any worse.

 

You are exactly right about one thing, "Nascar is a popular fad." And NASCAR is catering to the "fad" audience, the new fans. In the process, the are losing their old, core followers by the droves.

 

I am not sure about a change this year, but more changes are coming.

Brian, Fordborn, and everyone else. You aren't hurting my feelings. I totally understand the many sides of this discussion. I have always been an optimist, and this is just one more way for me to justify my lifetime seats...

I liked it better back before restricter plates, free pass(lucky dog), etc.

I know one thing that is a big bonus for NASCAR...

they do know how to promote themselves... It will drive you crazy if you let it.